Innovative use of euthanized animals reduces costs in surgical training

Maximizing tissue use from euthanized porcine models significantly lowers educational costs in surgical training. Harvesting tissues such as the abdominal wall and small intestine resulted in substantial cost reductions, with estimated expenses dropping from $847 to $109 per procurement. The process of timed tissue procurement not only provided similar quality material compared to commercial sources but also increased surgical exposure for trainees. This method aligns with the 3 Rs of animal research, promoting ethical practices in education.